Mental health conference takes on priority in Woodland

An upcoming mental health conference takes on a higher priority in the wake of a fatal shooting by Woodland police of a man identified as suffering from mental illness.

NAMI-Yolo (a chapter of NAMI, the Nation's Voice on Mental Illness) is urging mental health consumers, family members, friends and concerned citizens to attend a community dialogue on mental health.

The California Mental Health Planning Council's Public Forum, "We're Listening" is scheduled from 4 to 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 10, at the Woodland United Methodist Church, Fellowship Hall, 212 Second St., in Woodland.

Participation is free.

The meeting — which has been scheduled for a number of weeks — comes after the Aug. 11 shooting death where Woodland Police Officer Darryl Moore, a 13-year veteran of the department who has been trained to deal with those having mental health issues, shot and killed Jeffrey Towe, 53.

Moore was one of a number of officers who came up against Towe, whose family has reported he suffered from schizoaffective and bipolar disorders, which surfaced after he returned from serving six years in the Army.

Towe was creating a disturbance at the College Manor apartments. Police have said officers on scene tried to talk to Towe but he came at them with a military-style K-Bar knife and threatened officers.

Moore, fearing for his own life and those of others, fired his service weapon. Towe later died from his wounds.

"There have been many changes to the public mental health system," according to a statement by NAMI Yolo on the reasons for the Sept. 10 gathering. "What are the successes and the challenges in this time of transition?"

The group is asking people to come share their stories and suggestions.

Among those scheduled to speak are Karen Larsen, mental health director for the Yolo County Department of Health & Human Services; Bob Schelen, chairman of the Yolo County Local Mental Health Board; and Woodland United Methodist Church Pastor Elizabeth Brick.